Reviewed by Claire
Stuckey
Hannah meets Deven
in a hotel in Thailand: both young women are running away from family for quite
different reasons. Deven is extremely focused and worldly, while Hannah is
still finding her feet in life, and in Thailand. Focused on the dreadful
treatment of elephants Deven encourages Hannah to take up an opportunity to volunteer
at an elephant rescue centre. Here they work hard to assist locals rehabilitate
sick and tortured elephants. After the death of a rescued elephant, Deven wants
to escape, moving to a rescue location that is focused on training owners and
handlers in a remote location. This work becomes even more intense.
The girls have a short break in the capital
overwhelmed with the crowds of tourists and the tawdry businesses set up to
cater for their perceived needs. Hannah has come to meet an ex-boyfriend, but
her feelings are mixed as she finds herself torn between her past and her
present strong attachment to Deven.
Once their passion
has been expressed, Deven once again seeks escape to a remote resort. While
they enjoy certain relaxation with a work and pleasure routine, once again Deven
finds elephant torture in the local area too difficult to ignore.
This is an
immensely powerful book exposing the cruel treatment of elephants, a profitable
industry that is feed by the tourism industry. Throughout the book the
developing relationship of the young women as they work together is carefully
described. Although Deven appears to be strong and educated in Thai customs and
language, she is also highly emotional. Hannah transforms from her naïve self
to a decision-maker. Their strong emotional and physical relationship provides her
with a new maturity. Vivid but disturbing the story combines a powerful expose
with one women’s journey to maturity and a character driven by passionate
activism. This book is recommended for readers 16 years plus as it contains scenes
of animal torture and sexual references.
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